Pensioners recieving free air fryers have been warned over a scam (Image: Getty)
Thousands of pensioners set to receive air fryers as part of a council’s free giveaway have been warned not to fall for a twisted scam.
North Lincolnshire Council has given away more than 1,000 and is set to donate another 5,000 after the Government axed the universal for pensioners.
The Tory-run council launched the scheme in response to move as fuel bills soar while temperatures plummet.
But pensioners have been warned over scammers taking advantage of the scheme by sending fake text messages trying to steal money.
The texts ask recipients to click on a link to confirm their address and pay £1 for air fryer delivery.
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The council is also giving away slow cookers and other appliances (Image: Getty)
A spokesperson for the council warned: “’This [text message] has not been sent by North Lincolnshire Council.
“If you receive a text message of this nature, it is a scam. Do not provide any details or click any links within the message.”
North Lincolnshire council is aslo set to dish out 1,300 slow cookers and 400 one cup kettles under an energy efficiency scheme.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Many pensioners are struggling to pay their energy bills and relied on the at this time of the year when energy bills soar, particularly as the temperatures have plummeted and at North Lincolnshire Council we want to do our bit to help.
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“Thousands of pensioners have registered to get a free energy efficient cooking appliance and have expressed an interest in healthy cooking lessons. This will help them reduce their bills and enable them to cook nutritious, healthy meals.”
The council says it reviews how it can support its older reisdents and stepped up its support following Prime Minister Sir ’s decision to axe the universal as energy bills surge.
It says it will provide over sessions to over 700 older residents who want to know how to use their air fryer, an energy efficient appliance, efficiently.
The Council has stressed that over 1,000 energy efficient appliances have already been delivered but has urged pensioners to be patient as vast numbers wait for more handouts.
The Government has faced an ongoing backlash for restricting previously universal winter fuel payments of up to £300 to only those on pension credit.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately told the Daily Express: “I’m really concerned about how it’s going to affect people, making those really difficult choices whether they can afford to eat or heat.”
She added that one of the things she’s heard from people she has spoken is that they feel “they’re not being listened to.”
She said: “Some of them feel this is a deliberate attack on them as pensioners too.”
If you have been the victim of an energy scam or you’ve lost you’re , get in touch at [email protected].